I wanted to do a painting of a little boy and girl having a tea party. I had everything set up so that I could take a number of reference photos before selecting the poses I liked best for my painting.

The little girl is our next door neighbor. The little boy is my son. I had him all dressed and ready for the photo shoot. That day, he was preoccupied with his little wooden truck, and I wondered if he would be a reluctant participant. But the minute he saw his playmate arrive in her pretty party dress, he was totally captivated, and I was amazed. Here was my son - a typical little boy who loves toy spiders and snakes - and he put aside his favorite truck, something he normally would be very reluctant to do. At first a little shy, he soon entered into the spirt of things, being careful to hold his cup steady as the "hostess" poured apple juice for him. Between sips, he would hand her flowers and even volunteered a couple of shy little kisses on her cheek.

This scene really touched a chord in my heart. As adults, we have to learn to find a middle ground and work together, sometimes giving up what we would rather do, for the sake of another. I realized that even though my son is just a small child, he already understood that, when two people are involved, compromise is sometimes required. The joys that we share with someone else are what makes our own lives all the sweeter.

- Jean Monti